Peter King is an Idiot + Backup RB Talk
Posted: March 9th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 64 Comments »Peter King has up a list of his 50 top free agents. I don’t agree with many of the rankings, but lists like this are subjective so he’s got a right to his opinion.
But…
FA #40 is DE Juqua Parker. Say what? I love Juqua and everything he’s done for the Eagles, but I can’t see any way that he’s the 40th best player available on the FA market. I’m not sure he’s the 40th best defensive player on the market.
I could get past this if it wasn’t for King’s comment: “Eagles can’t pay everyone. In the right spot, with help, he’ll get 10 sacks.”
Parker’s career high is 8 sacks. He has 15 in the last 3 years combined. What the hell is the right spot…the UFL? Some league with a 24 game season? I hate this rant because it comes off as anti-Juqua and that’s not my intention. Love JP and all he’s done as an Eagle. Just hate guys like Petey who throw out comments like that without doing some research to see how dumb they are.
London Fletcher was the #43 FA on the list, by the way. And I’m not linking to it. Save your brain the waste and frustration of reading it.
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A few people have asked about what’s going on at backup RB. The Eagles will add a veteran FA to act as an insurance policy behind Shady McCoy. Do not get excited about any names. Andy and Marty have not used backup RBs much since Buck was here in 2008.
There are good choices available in FA and even the draft, but we’ll sign a mid-level vet who is capable of 15 carries if needed, but can also sit on his butt for 2 games in a row and won’t complain. Ronnie Brown was a waste. Look for more of a Jerome Harrison type.
This isn’t my plan, but rather what will happen. Shady’s emergence in 2011 makes us a one RB team. Get the ball to the workhorse and feed the backup when it is convenient.
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For SB Nation Philly I wrote about rookie MLBs. I compared some numbers between the top prospects and Casey Matthews so you can put this year’s targets into perspective.
A few people have pointed out that I should have compared their numbers to rookies who did succeed. I guess. My point was to calm the people who think that anyone other than Kuechly won’t be able to make it. That mentality is largely due, in my opinion, to Casey’s struggles.
Mid-round picks like Mason Foster and Colin McCarthy did start last year and play reasonably well for TB and TEN. It isn’t 1st round or bust with rookie MLBs.
* * * * *
Utah State talk at ScoutsNotebook: LB Bobby Wagner, RB Robert Turbin, and RB Michael Smith.
Hey T
What’s your opinion on that kid Pead from Cincy ?…Iggles have had a good run with guys from Cincy…could he be a target for the FO?
I like Pead, but don’t see us going for a RB in the draft. Too young, with Shady and Dion Lewis. Big Red wants a veteran in the mix.
so what do you think of Dion Lewis? caplan doesnt think he is quite ready yet. and eagles did use chad hall very seldom. Graig Cooper will probably be just a camp body, even though has some kick and punt return experience in college. i see thomas jones as a possible player, 33. He would not ask for more than 15 carries. I do not know the player just saw he was a FA and looking at role he played. Maybe eagles get a speed demon as a back up. It would be taking a different extreme from getting ronnie brown which couldnt even run at all.
I had my doubts about Dion, but he played well in the preseason and even flashed ability when he got a chance in the regular season. Right now I see him more as a #3 RB. He’d be fine as a backup if you knew the starter would stay healthy. Problem is what to do if Shady gets hurt and Dion is the #1 option. Not ready for that.
Leaonard Weaver provided 70 carries at 4.6. a pop in ’10. I don’t believe Buck was used any more so in ’08 (for shame for shame). What we need is a back just in case Shady misses a game, because the present offensive think tank does not use back ups to see of they and their running style maybe cause opponents problems. One that could return kicks would be a bonus, at least then they’d get to play!
Leonard got his touches in 2009. Have to remember that Westy was the starter and Shady the backup. Len only had 4 carries at midseason. Then Westy had the concussion vs WAS and Len/Shady split touches. That was due to circumstances and not by design.
http://www.nfl.com/player/leonardweaver/2506179/gamelogs?season=2009
Buck averaged 74 carries a year from 2006-08, when Westy was at his peak. We did try to use both backs at that point.
I totally disagree with the statement We did try to use both backs at that point.
Let’s look at 2008:
http://www.nfl.com/player/correllbuckhalter/2504545/gamelogs?season=2008
Buck had 44 of his 76 carries as a result of Westy not playing due to injury. A further 10 of his remaining 32 carries came in the season finale, when we mopped the floor with Dallas 44-6. Other than that, he had more than 2 carries in a game twice. Twice!!! That is not trying to use 2 backs, that is having a back for emergencies and mop up time in annual thrashings of Dallas.
In 2007 he had 62 carries, 17 of which came in a start (no Westy), 7 when we wore the sky blue and yellow against Detroit (mop up) and 9 in the pointless finale against Buffalo. Otherwise, slim pickings.
Compare that to his first 2 playing seasons with us when he averaged around 125 carries, the latter, coming off a knee injury and sharing a backfield with Westy and Duuuuuuuce! That is TRYING and SUCCEEDING in using both backs.
If we could guarantee Shady’s health 100%, then the back up may as well be Chad Hall for the action they will see. Seriously. What Vet is going to come here for that? When Buck was a FA and was included in many peoples off-season plans as a resigning (including yours), I always made the point that he would not want to stay and play for scraps. Despite being 173 in RB years he put up 120 ish carries in his first season in Denver.
Weaver, when he was used in ’09 (ooops), was used in shared backfield, splitting carries, far more so than Buck in ’07 and ’08. Maybe circumstances of a youthful backfield, all I know is that I wish he’d have had 1 less carry in 2010. 🙁
I have to agree with you here.
When Buck was healthy, and our WRs were shaky, I’d really liked to see him get 5-8 touches a game, if for nothing else than to reduce wear and tear on Westy. I thought Brown last year would help us ice games when we were ahead in the fourth.
I just don’t get why we won’t use the No. 2 RB — maybe it’s a Marty thing, as we did it under Chilly — but I’m way past agonizing over it.
95% of NFL fans probably don’t know much about Juqua Parker, so Peter King can write something like this about him and people will take his word for it, assuming he knows more than the reader. It sucks, but I guess that happens when you’re covering 1700+ players or however many there are.
Bill Barnwell (who I think is pretty good overall) has been doing the same thing over at Grantland with the Birds. He keeps writing Cullen Jenkins was a huge bust for them this year and has left guard as their #1 free agent need. I mean wtf lol.
Haha yeah exactly, that’s ridiculous. Even if he thinks Mathis is going to walk there’s no way Jenkins was anything close to a bust.
Barnwell should know better.
I’d hate to try to cover the entire NFL because most of the games are on simultaneously. In this day and age, though, someone should be able to watch every team in the league if he or she were dedicated to doing so.
It is hard to have intimate knowledge when you’re covering gobs of teams, but knowing Cullen Jenkins was more beast than bust doesn’t seem to be too much to ask.
re: King, in what world is Juqua more valuable than Fletcher? You can’t even use the age excuse?
Even if Juqua got monster snaps and was good against the run, it’d be hard to get more sack opportunities than in the Wide 9?
Test.
Test one…
RE: Backup RB
It seems like it will be tough to find a good guy for the Eagles. They want someone who is good enough to start in a pinch as you said, but is also willing to accept a role that involves 2 carries/touches a game when the starter is healthy. The Eagles don’t even put in the backup to get short yardage or close out games much.
If I’m a free agent RB who’s capable of starting in a pinch, I’d either be looking to start or at the very least be the #2 (or even #3) on a team that actually rotates RBs.
It’s a wonder there isn’t some guy out there who has had success but could use a season of riding the pine and healing up while collecting a modest paycheck… But I guess most NFL player’s ego’s are bigger than their bruises…
I’m in line with you on this completely.
Last year I was hoping that we go after Westy, who would have been perfect. Great locker room player, PR, can survive on 2 carries a game average, in an emergency could start and is a legend in Philly. Maybe we made the call and he wasn’t interested.
Yup. Would’ve been good. Although at the time Ronnie seemed like a better option.
Jerome Harrison really was the perfect fit for that. Which is why we tried to bring him back, I guess.
I want someone to say, “If Juqua gets 10 sacks, I’ll…” and then he gets 10 sacks (unlikely)..
Peter King also said that the Browns won’t get RG3 because Heckert doesn’t trade up. He could do a lot more homework on Eagles’ defensive linemen past and present..
If Juqua gets 10 sacks…I’ll eat a salad. (the horror, the horror)
He’s trying to help the Eagles by lowering Fletcher’s price and letting Philly franchise Juqua so that the bidding war of draft picks can commence. Philly can’t plant all its stories with Adam Caplan. Either that or Juqua gets him his skunk.
I like your thinking.
its not impossible! a few years there it looked like he could hit the 10 sack plateau but he always got worn down by the end…
Holy Moses… there are a lot of FA RBs out there this year. I can hear the nickles rubbing together right now…
Waaay off topic, but…
If Miami doesn’t make Matt Flynn their top QB candidate, what does that say about Flynn?
Also…
Just read the Cards have the highest cash payroll in the NFL… yikes.
Looks like the Skins just got RG III. Too bad, seems like a good guy, now I have to hate him.
RG3 is great but the Skins overpaid. Their first plus two more firsts plus more picks. They have an aging, mediocre team and they need those picks.
plus a 2nd. Huge price
castillo will have a bounty on RGIII without a doubt but the redskins wi;; be able to get vjax as well
The Redskins do have $30M in cap space, and the timing of this deal, before the start of free agency, will work in their favor when it comes to veteran recruiting.
That said, the RG3 acquisition doesn’t concern me as an Eagles fan. I have complete faith in Andy and Marty to out-scheme the Shanahans.
Yes re: timing.
And it had to be done now, since free agency is now their next few drafts. I mean they should be able to pick up depth but their stars are going to have to come on board next week with the thought of playing for a RGIII led team.
But it is a quintessential Redskins move! Whatever way RG3 turns out, he is unlikely to be Franchise Savior in Year 1, which probably means bye Shanny! With a new coach in 2013 ‘Skins have a chance to be competitive then… How do I feel about it? I don’t know. I don’t really care.
No way they fire Shanny now. If nothing else, this is doubling down on Shanahan and Allen. Now if they are bad it’s because they were breaking in a rookie QB. They still need the so-called QB guru on board. They retooled the D for Haslett’s 3-4, would be silly to start over.
Thing is, their problem has been scoring points. If they improve just a little there, 8 wins is possible.
I’m not worried about them next year either, though they could pull an upset. But in RG’s second year, they could be trouble. Let’s see how free agency and the draft go though lol
Wild move, huh? Skins had to have a QB. Steep, steep price to paly.
The price is absolutely absurd. I am pretty sure I would consider that overpaying for Manning or Brady right before they entered their prime, even if you knew what they were capable of in their prime. Huuuuge steal for the Rams.
No way would that be overpaying for those two right before their prime. There’s 32 GMs who would do that trade if they knew what Brady or Manning would do.
Not sure they had a choice. If they got indications that Peyton wasn’t interested and they weren’t sold on Flynn, then it was this or Rex/Beck again.
I’m thinking the price would have been much lower if Cleveland and their 2 #1’s weren’t in the picture.
It’s worth the price if RGIII pans out. WAS is basically giving up 2-1st to move up and get Griffin.
Someone else brought this up at BGN:
NYG gave up a 1st and a 3rd to move up and get Manning. They didn’t have a 1st round draft pick in 2005, in 2006 they drafted Kiwanuka and Sinorice Moss with their 1st and 2nd round picks. They basically didn’t need either the 2 1st round picks our their 2nd round picks to get them 2 superbowls in 4 years.
Tommy,
I do value your insights over King’s because I know you are not afraid to say when you are not familiar enough with a player to make a prediction about him. King can’t ever admit that. And you base your opinions off of your own film study, not word of mouth. But regarding JP, neither I nor King has seen him as much as you, but over the past 3 seasons on a per pass rush basis, JP has been one of the top rushers in the league.
2009- 8 sacks on 451 pass rushes
2010- 6 on 308
2011- 1.5 on 146
That’s 16.5 sacks on 905 pass rushes.
That means to get 10 sacks he needed 548 pass rushes.
In 2010,
JARED ALLEN needed 548 to get 11.
TRENT COLE needed 530 for 10.
JULIUS PEPPERS needed 634 to get 8!
CHRIS LONG needed 578 to get 8.5!
I’m not JP’s agent (I wish!). I know his relatively least productive of those years was the most recent one, he’s only getting older, he’s been hurt, and his efficiency likely would go down some if he were playing more snaps per game (from exhaustion). So I’m even OK with him leaving since Cole and Babin are the clear starters and I want to see what Hunt and Graham (I can’t watch his college clips on youtube and convince myself he’s not good) can do.
But I just had to point out that it’s not actually thaaat outrageous to say that JP could be a 10 sack guy if allowed to play the same number of snaps as a Brian Robison type guy or any other DE who gets about 550 pass rushes per year. And put me in touch with JP’s agent if you can 🙂
AJ
But part of the point with JP is that he can’t play 40 snaps a game and be at his best. He must be rotated to stay fresh and productive.
There is a reason a guy is as effective as he is and has never had 10 sacks before.
Tommy,
Do you have any interest in Gary Brackett now that he’s a free agent?
No. Hurt in 2011. Missed 4 games in 2010. Turns 32 in May. Better options in FA and the draft.
how bout joseph addai? i think the eagles might target him, he’s a good all-around back (including blocking), kind of like westbrook… he must have slowed down but he seems like andy’s type of back, plus the howard mudd connection…
it wouldn’t surprise me to see him attempt to resurrect his career with a team where he’ll touch the football.
What about Melvin Bullitt? No idea about his skill set or his price, and I hate whenever someone is available we all sign him to the birds in our heads.
But vet safety seems like a secondary need of ours. Kick the tires of the price is right?
Great salesmanship. Our new #1 target, with a Bullitt.
Bullitt would be a good choice to replace Colt as well as provide back up.
The Jets extended Sanchez through 2016 for $40M (+$13.5M in escalators) and $20M guaranteed over 2012-2013. Mark Sanchez is now the 6th highest paid QB in the NFL.
Let that sink in a little. Then, laugh your ass off for 2 minutes like I did.
The next time someone makes fun of Ryan Howard’s contract with the Phillies, I’ll just point to the Sanchez extension – SEE! It’s isn’t THAT bad!
Sanchez can thank Peyton – well, more like the media – for this raise.
He should cut a huge check to Bradford and Locker. Both of those guys were better prospects than Sanchez at the time.
Re Utah State’s pro day and Wagner’s non-participation: Is Wagner eligible to participate in another pro day in his region, and, if so, must the date and location be pre-announced and limited to one such day? His recent bout with pneumonia would seem to be pretty good justification.
U mention LB, u ever heard of Seminoles Nigel Bradham, could be projected as SAM coming out of 4th or 5th, maybe. Don’t know his combine, but he looks fast and has some solitude hit in him. I’ve only seen highlights of him, that doesn’t give much in the way of on-field performances. Here’s the links, if anyone hasn’t seen it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9RDfkvOMXU
This dude concaves anyone who has the ball, he can also do wrap up tackles. Anything more than that is out of my reach, as far as instincts, etc. But worth a look into this guy
Tommys mention him several times in fact just a few days ago called him a poor mans Keenan Robinson. Fine in space. Wont take on blockers.
Welp, looks like Washington’s going all in…
Call up Jenkins Babin and Cole… tell ’em to bring their track shoes to camp.
The Skins got their guy.now let’s go get ours……LK40….make it happen Howie……
If you looking for a one year backup, depending on his health, Ernest Graham would be a great choice, can fill in a FB, can pass block, run and catch. Not going to make big plays, but a much more reliable backup than Brown, because he’s been in that role forever, similar to Sammy Morris and Meldewe Moore, these are the guys you want because their expectations are to make a roster and some decent moolah, not to start.
Ben Garvis off NE would be a good choice, unless he has fantasies of being a starter, he has great skills as a backup. You find a guy like this, and over pay them on a three year contract, and they get to retire at 30 with money in the bank and a pension at 55.
The problem with veterans who used to start is few can swallow their egos and do the hard work to be prepared to come off the bench, and even better, contribute on STs.
so are you trying to say addai is not worth calling looking at numbers last year is a high carries of 19 has had 2, 8, 0. obviously he was good in an offense dominated by peyton
No, he’s a lousy fit as the #2 RB, not a one back, not a guy who’ll play STs, not a guy happy with 5 carries a game. When you look at backups, fit is more important than talent, then you use the back of the roster to stash talent that isn’t ready to play. Rod Hood wasn’t a starting caliber CB, as Zona found out, but he was a great nickel CB.
Dion could be that guy if he hits the weights and improves his pass blocking, but you also want a complimentary guy who does things better than Shady for some packages, like pass blocking.
3rd and 9, I’d rather have Graham in the shotgun as the one back picking up a blitzing LB.
What about Tashard Choice?
What about Taster’s Choice?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TdowvNoEK0
No price is too high for a QB who takes you to the SB.
If RGIII gets the ‘Skins there, then no one’ll care.
I’d make that deal if I’m the Eagles. Or any team. Look at how many “misses” there are year after year in Rd 1 and Rd 2.
If RGIII is the real goods, this deal’s a steal. A great QB can make mediocre players good.
Hell, McNabb had great success with absolute CRAP receivers.
falcons just signed Lofa..which means the Iggles are about to overpay for a 2 down MLB Lofton ……smh…..what say you Howie…8-9 mil a yr…….
In similar logic to the Redskins going all out for RGIII, if it helps us win a Super Bowl, there is no amount not worth spending.
Isiah Pead reminds me so much of Shady. He’d be a good backup RB except he is getting a 2d/3d round grade and I don’t think we’ll spend that on a backup RB.